“SMAC”: The Framework of Effective Goals

S – Specific

Good goals are SPECIFIC – they are clearly defined. You cannot intentionally guide any process that lacks a “definition of done”. If you do not clearly define where the finish line is, how will you ever know when you have completed the goal you set?

M – Measurable

Good goals are MEASURABLE – they can be easily quantified. You should be able to measure the required progress needed for you to complete the goal. If your goal is not measurable, the amount of necessary time for completion will always be OVERESTIMATED.

A – Achievable

Good goals are ACHIEVABLE – they exist within the realm of possibility. If you create goals that are impossible to achieve, you risk becoming emotionally defeated by the insurmountable road ahead. It is critical to have progressional goals that allow for metered successes. This psychological “reward” of success with boost confidence over time.

C – Challenging

Good goals are CHALLENGING – they stretch you to acquire skills and knowledge that you do not already possess. Never set a goal that doesn’t require you to learn or experience something new. Challenging goals drive progress and growth on a level that exists outside of the goal itself.

Example of SMAC Applied in Business

Software Development Overview

OBJECTIVES: Making Your Goals Happen

Objectives define “HOW” you will reach an intended goal. Think of objectives as being the “goal within the goal”. They can be arranged as milestones to signify progress along the journey to a challenging goal. By establishing CLEAR objectives, you dramatically increase the likelihood of successfully reaching your goal.

Example of Defining Objectives

“I will close $100K in sales this quarter.”

If you set a goal to close a specific dollar-value in sales during the next quarter (for our example that is $100K), the final destination of that goal is $100,000. You can set your Objectives along the way at some realistic milestones (so $25K, $50K, $75k, and then $100K).

You now can chop up the time increment into four smaller “goals” that have deadlines of one month (which combine to give you the quarter of the year). Now your number of $100K is more digestible and has clear deadlines associated with it.

APPLICATION: Get Personal With Your Goals

Having goals means living INTENTIONALLY. Nobody in history has ever become great or accomplished great things on accident. Ensure your success by putting your goals on a calendar RIGHT NOW, assess your progress towards your goals DAILY and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed.

Goals aren’t just for work. Set goals for your personal life as well!

Physical fitness

Relationships with family and friends

Spirituality

Personal growth and knowledge acquisition

Finances

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.